Food Thickeners Market Report 2025

The food thickeners market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $13.24 billion in 2024 to $14.27 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increased demand for processed and convenience foods, growth in aging population with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), need for texture modification in food products, expansion of the food and beverage industry globally, regulatory approval and safe usage of food thickeners, rise in prevalence of neurological disorders affecting swallowing.

The food thickeners market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $19.12 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to adoption of plant-based and algae-derived thickeners, emphasis on texture-modified diets in healthcare and geriatric care, research and development in novel thickening agents for specific applications demand for thickeners in nutritional and functional food products, expansion of thickener applications in pet food and nutraceuticals, growing interest in customized texture solutions for foodservice industry. Major trends in the forecast period include plant-based and algae-derived thickeners, customized texture solutions, texture modification for dysphagia management, transparency and clean label claims, texture-modified pet food, functional thickeners with health benefits.

The extensive application in the food and beverage industry is anticipated to drive the growth of the food thickeners market in the future. The food and beverage industry encompasses companies involved in food processing, packaging, and the distribution of both packaged and freshly prepared dishes, as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Food thickeners support this industry by increasing the viscosity of food and beverages while maintaining their consistency. For example, in July 2024, the India Food Services Report-2024, published by the National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI), an organization focused on the restaurant industry in India, noted that the food services sector contributes 1.9% to India’s GDP and is projected to grow from INR 5.69 trillion ($68 billion) to INR 7.76 trillion ($92 billion) by 2028. This growth represents a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1% from 2024 to 2028, highlighting the sector's resilience and potential within the country's economy. Therefore, the extensive use of food thickeners in the food and beverage industry is driving the growth of the food thickener market.

The escalating demand for processed foods is poised to propel the food thickeners market forward. Processed foods, altered in some manner during their manufacturing process, commonly incorporate food thickeners to enhance their texture and consistency. Projections from a joint study conducted by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and Grant Thornton underscore a potential influx of $33 billion in investments within the processed food sector by 2024 in India. This sector displays substantial interest in advancements related to food handling and processing equipment, aligning with estimations that India's overall food production will double by 2024. Consequently, the surge in demand for processed foods contributes significantly to the growth trajectory of the food thickeners market.

Product innovations are a significant trend gaining traction in the food thickeners market. Leading companies in this sector are developing new products to maintain their competitive edge in the food thickeners market. For example, in February 2024, Ingredion Incorporated, a US-based global supplier of specialty ingredient solutions for the food and beverage manufacturing industry and a pioneer in clean label ingredients, launched NOVATION Indulge 2940 starch. This new product expands their range of clean label texturizers and features the first non-GMO functional native corn starch that offers a unique texture for gelling and co-texturizing in popular dairy, alternative dairy products, and desserts.

Major companies in the food thickeners market are continually innovating with products such as ThickenUp Clear. ThickenUp Clear is a food and beverage thickener made from xanthan gum, offering a tasteless, colorless, odorless, and amylase-resistant solution. An example of such innovation is evident in the launch by Nestlé, a Switzerland-based food company, of ThickenUp Clear in January 2023. This particular thickener is designed to aid individuals with swallowing difficulties, particularly oropharyngeal dysphagia.

In July 2024, Tate & Lyle, a UK-based supplier of food and beverage products for both food and industrial markets, announced its agreement to acquire CP Kelco for $1.8 billion. This acquisition is anticipated to significantly strengthen Tate & Lyle's market position in the expanding specialty food ingredients sector. CP Kelco is a US-based manufacturer of nature-based specialty food ingredients.

Major companies operating in the food thickeners market include Cargill Incorporated, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Ingredion Incorporated, Ashland Global Holdings Inc., CP Kelco ApS, DuPont de Nemours Inc., Kerry Group plc, Darling Ingredients Inc., Tate & Lyle PLC, Medline Industries Inc., Guar Resources LLC, Deosen Biochemical (Ordos) Ltd., GELITA AG, Solvay S.A., VIKAS WSP Ltd., Koninklijke DSM N.V., Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG, DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences ApS, Biorigin SA, Fuerst Day Lawson, FMC Corporation, Naturex, Nexira, Palsgaard A/S, Premium Ingredients International, Taiyo International, TIC Gums Inc., W Hydrocolloids Inc.

Food thickeners play a crucial role in maintaining and creating the texture of food. These substances, agents, or ingredients are added to food to alter its viscosity, resulting in a stiffer and denser consistency.

The primary types of food thickeners include starch, protein, and hydrocolloids. Starch, a polysaccharide formed by numerous glucose monomers connected by glycosidic bonds, is sourced from plants, microorganisms, and animals. It finds application in various food categories such as bakery products, confectionery items, sauces, dressings, marinades, gravies, beverages, dairy and frozen desserts, as well as convenience and processed foods. The versatile nature of food thickeners contributes to their widespread use in enhancing the texture and consistency of a diverse range of food products.

The food thickeners market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides food thickeners market statistics, including food thickeners industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a food thickeners market share, detailed food thickeners market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the food thickeners industry. This food thickeners market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Europe was the largest region in the food thickeners market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in food thickeners market share report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.

The countries covered in the food thickeners market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA.

The food thickeners market consists of sales of starches, vegetable gums, pectin, eggs, collagen, gelatin, blood albumin. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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